When a cell divides, it's DNA is copied error-free, but sometimes random changes occur called mutations. The changes can result in the death of the cell or allow the cell to live and continue to grow and divide. When the DNA starts to act abnormally, the cells could become cancerous and proliferate wildly through repeated, uncontrolled mitosis and cytokinesis. Some mutations are caused by carcinogens: environmental factors that cause cancer, some include, tobacco smoke, radiation, such as x-rays and UV rays from tanning beds and sunlight.…
Lysosomes degrade glycogen and certain lipids in the brain at a relatively constant rate. In Tay-Sachs disease, an inherited condition seen mostly in Jews from Central Europe, the lysosomes lack an enzyme needed to breakdown a glycolipid abundant in nerve cell membranes. As a result, the nerve cell lysosomes sweel with undigested lipids, which interfere with nervous system functioning. Affected infants typically have doll-like features and pink translucent skin. At 3 to 6 months of age, the first symptoms progress to mental retardation, seizures, blindness, and ultimately death within 18 months.…
ALX is caused by a mutation in the GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) gene on chromosome 17. Molecules of this protein bind together to form intermediate filaments which are used to support and strengthen cells. The mutation causes a structural alteration in GFAP which impairs the formation of normal intermediate filaments and they collect in cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes are non-neuronal glial cells that provide biochemical support to endothelial cells that form the blood-brain barrier, provide nutrients for nervous tissue and maintenance of extracellular ion balance etc. This leads to the formation of Rosenthal fibers in the astrocytes, abnormal clumps of GFAP. Therefore no nutrients are provided to the oligodendrocytes and as a result myelin is slowly degenerated.…
Alzhaimer`s disease-around 500.000 people in the UK have Alzhaimer`s.Scientists know that during Alzhaimer`s two abnormal proteins build in the brain. They form clumps called either "plagues" or "tangles". Theses plagues and tangles interfere with how brain cells work and communicate wih each other. The plagues are usually first seen in the area of the brain that makes new memories.…
"The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger shows its readers life through Holden Caulfield's eyes. The readers see his outlook on life, thoughts about people, and ideas about maturity and adulthood. Even though Holden doesn't want to grow up, he still develops maturity through three symbols: the museum, the idea of being "the catcher in the rye," and the carrousel and gold rings.…
Tay-Sachs disease is a fatal genetic disorder that results in progressive destruction of the nervous system. Tay-Sachs is caused by the absence of the enzyme hexosaminidase A (Hex-A). Without Hex-A fatty proteins build up in the brain which cause damage to the brain cells. This damage causes children to loss motor skills and mental functions which overtime can cause the children to become blind, deaf, mentally retarded and nonresponsive to the environment.…
There is research that has been conducted that has however, lead some scientist to believe that it could be linked to genetics, chemical imbalances, disorganized immune response, or even mishandling of proteins. ALS affects homeostasis by causing motor neurons that are found in the spinal cord and brain to start to degenerate and die off. This causes signals to the muscles to "turn off" and the muscles become un-operable causing weakening which results in the muscle wasting away. It will eventually lead to the in-operation of the involuntary muscles such as the heart which in the end leads to…
Alzheimers - is a physical disease that affects the brain. There are nore than half a million people in the UK with the disease. Alzheimers is progress when a build up of proteins in the brain lead to a loss of connection between the nerve cells. This itself causes the death of these nerve cells and the loss of brain tissue. People with alzheimers also suffer from a shortage of chemicals in their brain. Thesse chemicals are used to transmit signals around the brain. Where there is a shortage the signals are not transmitted effectively. This causes the person to have confusion over places and time and also issues with thinking and memory loss.…
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 65. During the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease, people are free of symptoms but toxic changes are taking place in the brain. Abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain, and once-healthy neurons begin to work less efficiently.…
What other diseases are thought to be caused by point mutations? What do point mutations do in those diseases?…
people whose genes put them at risk for the disease, some type of trigger starts the attack on the…
The autoimmune diseases[i] arise from an inappropriate immune response[ii] of the own immune system against substances and tissues normally present in the body. The role of the immune system is to keep the body safe from injury and invasion. It is a complex system operating at all levels[iii] from the molecular to the systemic, always with the inborn goal of maintaining the body and its functions. In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakes normal, healthy structures with foreign bodies, is activated against the body 's own proteins and starts destroying them. In autoimmune inflammatory diseases, it is the overreaction of the immune system, and its subsequent downstream signalling.…
When the disease goes undiagnosed and untreated for a long period of time, it may lead to neurological complications.…
“ Alzheimer’s disease first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer is a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease protein plaques and tangles develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells.…
Primarily, this progressive disease is caused by cigarette smoking, but it can also be caused from long exposure to air pollution and genetic problems. Smoke can be exhaled by…